Ukes For Everyone In Manhattan 

The ukulele is currently riding a wave of popularity across the United States, so it only makes sense that its most famous city – known for its arts, music and opportunity – is leading the pack when it comes to bringing fans of the mighty little instrument together.  

New York is home to some of the country’s biggest ukulele clubs, and Manhattan is no exception. The New York City Ukulele Meetup Group meets in different locations regularly across Manhattan. The group meets to play, teach, learn and talk ukulele and is welcome to suggestions on where and when to meet. Looking to take Manhattan’s ukulele community on a “field trip”? Maybe you have a concert you want to see and share. Or perhaps you know of a uke festival happening nearby. Members are encouraged to suggest outings! And if you don’t have experience, come along anyway. The New York City Ukulele Meetup Group welcomes players of all skill levels – after all, the best way to learn is by playing with others, right?

The New York City Ukulele Meetup Group often meets at Pearl Studios at 500 8th in midtown Manhattan for jams and open mics. Ukulele Cabarets – an interesting night you will not want to miss - take place at the KGB Bar’s Red Room on 85 East 4th Street from 9:30 until 11:00pm on the third Thursday of every month. Performers have included War Ponies, J Walter Hawkes, Sonic Uke, Nick Balaban, Jamie Scandal, Andru Cann, Carlo Maria and Jason, and Chris Combs.

If you’re looking to broaden your horizons, luckily, Manhattan isn’t too far from a boatload of other uke clubs. In Brooklyn, Brooklyn Uke Night gathers on the fourth Thursday of ever month at The Douglass. Entrance costs $5 per person and players of all skill level are welcome. The group strums, shares songs and encourages members to make friends with Uke Night’s other uke enthusiasts.

On Staten Island, The Staten Island Ukes meet on the second Wednesday of every month. Anyone interested in playing the ukulele is welcome, and all skill levels are encouraged to join. Do you specialize in instruments other than the ukulele? The Staten Island Ukes welcome multi-instrumentalists, or even those who can’t play the ukulele. Each meeting begins with a beginner lesson, moves on to a club-wide jam and ends with an open mic. Like most uke groups, they use The Daily Ukulele books, but if you don’t happen to have them, don’t worry, members here have no problem sharing.

New York really does have it all!